Ripe Surfing

Take another behind the scenes look at some of Phil Robert’s sketches and ideas that gave birth to the brilliant 2008 Billabong Pro contest posters. Covering both the Jeffreys Bay poster and the upcoming Mundaka poster.

How has the response been for the first couple of event posters?
The response has been overwhelming and great. E-mails from around the world. You can never anticipate how your work will be received, it’s been very welcomed and appreciated by me with the kind words I’ve received. It has taken Billabong by surprise so much that we are talking about printing up a second edition available for everyone to buy for their walls. It was just contest art to them.

It has taken Billabong by surprise so much that we are talking about printing up a second edition available for everyone to buy for their walls.

The J Bay poster had a really fresh and unique wave angle - what made you go with that idea?
Graham ( at Billabong ) gave me a challenge to show several set waves peeling down Supertubes, the beautiful water and feature Taj and a large school of Dolphins in the line up. Graham had a favorite photo view shot by Chris Van Lennep to inspire me with. So either you’re looking into the tube or out of it. I cannot take credit that it’s an original POV ( it’s been done long before my time ), the painting is just my take on it

What were the main themes behind the Mundaka piece?
I was looking forward to capturing and old world European flavor in this painting by using old Italian Renaissance glazing oil painting techniques. Give the painting some warmth with a burnt sienna under painting to contrast the frigid cold ice water mountain run-off that pours out into the line up ( illustrated by the prussian blue water ). I scumbbled the paint on thick in some areas. Glazed in a godly golden glow on the church and carried that sunlight across into the wave of worship. Adding in the school of Sardines was a last minute choice and took a lot of time and patience. I’m stoked with what I wanted to achieve and get out of this painting, trying to portray that surf spot as a religious experience in the extreme environment of warmth and cold. This painting will always be a favorite of mine.

Was the process similar to the first two - what were the differences?
Teahupoo was/is very “illustrative”- a movie poster version of my “Book of Waves” science illustrations. J-Bay was a spontaneous and fluid experience in painting especially with the abstracted wave ceiling peeling over head, there was no drawing involved - straight to paint with a big brush. Mundaka was/is a thought out painting process with many deep layers and subliminal composition design aspects.

How long did it take to put together and what were the hardest parts to get right?
I’m sorry to disappoint you with no dramatic struggle stories. Mundaka flowed from beginning to end, I was in a very inspired painting zone for 6 weeks. The sardines where painful to get thru, it was the end of the marathon. As a professional , I believe you give it everything you got ( even at the risk of injury…… in painting, ha ha, right! ) . I like going to the wall just to see if I live thru it…. skydiving is one of my hobbies.

“Sorry Joel! I can’t help it ….. ” ( They don’t carry mirrors on the pro surf tour do they?)

I’ve read that Parko wasn’t too happy with the size of his nose, did that give you a laugh?
No I didn’t hear that. Was that maybe about the cartoon I did of him for shirts ( see attached ). “Sorry Joel! I can’t help it ….. ” ( They don’t carry mirrors on the pro surf tour do they?). You know all those surf divas think they look like Tom Cruise!

Have you had any offers or requests since doing the work?
A few people asking for paintings of their favorite surf break here and there. I’ve already moved onto creating my next big project. A few singles will come out , but no sequel album like this set for Billabong. I’ve been designing a lot of surf parks lately.

If you want to learn more about Phil or purchase some of his paintings, check these links out
Phil Roberts website
Club Of Waves
Billabong Pro